Gauteng to implement debt reduction strategy for municipalities – Lesufi

By Nkhensani Chauke

The Gauteng provincial government will implement a Government Debt Reduction Strategy to facilitate the collection of outstanding debt from provincial departments on behalf of municipalities.

This is according to Premier Panyaza Lesufi, who delivered the State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Mamelodi, Tshwane, on Monday night.

Lesufie called on provincial government departments to settle their debts to municipalities.

“We have committed to ensuring that no provincial government department owes municipalities,” said Lesufi.

Lesufi also spoke about the improvements in municipal financial management, noting that six municipalities received unqualified audit opinions, while two achieved clean audits for the 2023/24 financial year.

“We are particularly pleased with the West Rand District Municipality for moving from an unqualified audit opinion in the 2022/23 financial year to a clean audit in the 2023/24 financial year. We will continue to support the three that received qualified audit opinions,” said Lesufi.

“Furthermore,